By Anupum Pant
Jane wasn’t a “scientist”, but she has been around chimps for five decades. It all started when she was twenty four years old. Since then she has gotten close to chimpanzees, learned their behaviour and culture in great detail, developed a deep relationship with them, and has helped to bridge the gap between humans and animals. At first, the scientific community did not receive her studies well, but soon they had to.
Through subsequent years, Jane opened the world’s eyes to the complexity and richness of chimpanzee communities, writing of close family bonds, dominance struggles among males, human-like communications such as pats on the back and hugs, and much more.
Here are two touching videos which capture the essence of her life’s work.